Damage assessment by laser could focus postearthquake response

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An article on Eos, a publication of the American Geophysical Union, about using airborne lidar, a pulsed laser light technology, to hasten rescues from compromised buildings interviews Chris Renschler, associate professor of geography and an investigator with MCEER.

Renschler said rapid response to an extreme event is possible if accurate information is continuously gathered before the event occurs and can be followed by collecting the same kind of data after the event for quick comparisons. “What is often forgotten is that emergency managers may not have the opportunity of gathering such data, but once something happens, they are really in need of that information,” he said.